We have just wrapped up the first quarter of the school year! There have been a lot of great things happening at CISCC. Read below to see some of our highlights over the last month as, together, we surround Chatham students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life!
Two years ago, General Youth Services teamed up with Pittsboro Elementary School (PES) to launch an inspiring initiative—the Reading Buddy program. The goal was simple yet profound: to pair students with dedicated volunteers who would read to them and listen to them read, fostering a love for books and improving literacy skills. This fall, in addition to PES, we also have a group at North Chatham Elementary!
We have seen the program extend far beyond reading as well. It is encouraging to see the students and volunteers bond and have conversations about a wide range of topics. This program has been one of the significant ways we are building a community of support for our students, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who make the Reading Buddy program a success. Your dedication and kindness have made a significant impact on the lives of these students, helping to instill a love for reading and a sense of community. If you are interested in volunteering as a reading buddy, please contact us.
You will often see us use #inschoolsandbeyond in our newsletters and social media posts. This hashtag highlights the reality that so much of our work extends beyond the school day and beyond the school walls. This fall, we are partnering with the Inter-faith Food Shuttle in their Backpack Buddies program.
Backpack Buddies is designed to provide children experiencing food insecurity with nutritious, kid-friendly, pre-packed meals for the weekend—when they would not have access to a school’s free lunch and breakfast.
CISCC plays a key role in the link between the Food Shuttle and the students in our schools. We assist the schools in securing the food bags from Interfaith Food Shuttle. We then take on the responsibility to identify participants and to collect consent forms in partnership with the social workers and school counselors. Finally, our staff then deliver all of the food bags to classrooms throughout the school each Thursday.
It really does take all of us to provide the vital community of support that empowers our students to stay in school and achieve in life. We are grateful for our partnerships with Chatham County Schools and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in providing this provision to students and families.
At CISCC, our work extends far beyond the classroom. We have had continued opportunities to get out into the community, participate in community-wide events, and highlight our work to build more awareness of CISCC. Together, we are making a difference #inschoolsandbeyond!
In October, these events included:
-The Siler City Movie Night and Trunk R Treat
-Fall Festival at Chatham Community Church
-Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar display at the NC Arts Incubator*
-An evening with residents of Governors Club highlighting our work in Chatham County
*Note: On Friday Nov. 1st from 6:00p – 8:00p, we invite you to join us for a special celebration for Dia de los Muertos. Join us as we come together to honor the souls of our loved ones in this beautiful celebration of life. Bring a photo of your loved one and their favorite food item to place on the altar. Enjoy art activities, educational materials, light snacks, and refreshments.
The location is the NC Arts Incubator, 23 North Chatham Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344.
Earlier this year, we shared about the return of our popular program, Cooking Matters for Teens. In October, we began with another group of students in partnership with Pittsboro Presbyterian Church and George Moses Horton Middle School!
This program aims to shape future culinary leaders—chefs, nutrition advocates, restaurant managers, food truck owners, bakers, pitmasters, and food scientists. Our volunteers and staff ignite passions, nourish dreams, and pave the way for a future where every young mind savors success in the culinary world and beyond. This program is another unique, creative way we are partnering together and fulfilling our mission!
